(DTIS) Update, Volume 1 – Main report - Enhanced Integrated ...

7. ConclusionStrengthening tourism is a valuable development objective for Burundi, as this could constitute awelcome source of economic diversification and contribute to job creation. The country’s tourismpotential has been emphasized in recent years, and there is scope for a varied offer of different types oftourism (adventure/eco, cultural and community-based, business, etc.). The renewed commitment of theauthorities to modernize and develop the sector, as well as the regional integration process underway, areimportant enabling factors for tourism development. Moreover, the broader context is favorable: theAfrican tourism sector has grown steadily in the recent period, and sub-Saharan Africa was between2000 and 2010 one of the regions with the highest average annual growth rate of international touristarrivals (6.6 %), after the Middle East (9.6%) and East Asia (6.8%) (UNWTO 2011).Nevertheless, numerous obstacles hamper the emergence of tourism in Burundi. The countryranked 137 th out of 139 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Index 139 in 2011and is presently not considered a viable destination by tour operators (Twining-Ward 2010). Given thecompetitive nature of the tourism business globally and in Africa, emerging as a tourism destinationfrom a low base like Burundi’s is a considerable challenge. While some constraints can be eased fasterthan others, it seems clear that taking-off will take time. Nevertheless, efforts have to start somewhere iftourism is to become an important sector in the Burundian economy. National authorities have asignificant role to play in this regard, to make Burundi a viable tourism destination and create anenvironment conducive to a private-sector led growth of the sector. Moreover, being proactive andsetting sound basis for tourism before it develops will ensure that the growth of the sector is controlledand will help maximize tourism’s developmental benefits.Below are three main strategic recommendations for tourism development in Burundi:i) Address the most basic constraints first. Modernizing the regulatory and institutionalframework for tourism or marketing the country as a destination are important objectives, butthey should not obscure the necessity to address fundamental constraints hampering tourismdevelopment. As argued above, improvements in terms of security/stability, infrastructure/accessand essential services (notably health and financial) are sine qua non conditions for tourismgrowth in the country. Concerning security in particular, recent research on tourism in Burundiconcluded that the “complex state-society relations and ongoing internal conflicts” are “seriousbarriers to the realization of [Burundi’s] potential” (Novelli et al. 2012). Realistically, as these arenot likely to change dramatically in the short run, improvements should be sought at least inBujumbura and the selected high potential tourism zone(s). Moreover, tourism developmentcould play a catalytic role and bring about improvements in these areas which would also benefitlocal communities and the economy in general. Other essential enablers for which immediatepolicy actions can be taken include liberalized air policy and simplified visa requirements. Theseaspects should all be considered top priorities to develop tourism. Burundi could learn from theexperience of other countries that confronted similar constraints, but managed to circumvent themto initiate tourism growth, such as Rwanda, Uganda or Cape Verde.Once improvements in these fundamental areas are achieved, success stories like Mozambique orRwanda suggest that the emergence of the sector will require actions to (i) guarantee a stableenvironment for both tourism operators and tourists (ii) market the country as a safe and attractivedestination (iii) support and involve the private sector (iv) improve the business environment andattract FDI. Later on, the solidity and developmental benefits of the sector will notably depend onthe capacity of the authorities and of the private sector to improve the quality of tourism products(e.g. standards for tourism facilities, training of tourism workers); ensure the environmental,139 See www.weforum.org/issues/travel-and-tourism-competitiveness148 / 153